~ Friends of Unity September 2025 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! This month's cue is SO much fun! 

It took me a while to get started. I was really stuck for ideas. But once I got started I couldn't stop. So with that said. There's a lot of content on this blog post. I made three projects and the last one was very involved. There's lots of photos and I'll try to keep the chatter to a minimum so the post isn't too terribly long. I hope you enjoy my projects and if you're inspired by my makes, I'd love to see what you make.

First up is a cute accordion tag book that was inspired by our sweet crafty friend, Jenni Shamblin. She's sharing one today that is SO beautiful. Be sure you stop by her blog {down below in the hop}.

Here's the tag book opened. I used small pieces of white card stock to attach the tags together. I didn't cover the back. I still might but I couldn't find a paper I liked to do it so for now it's just blank. I used four Fall themed tags that I received from Unity. Not sure if it was a gift or if I ordered it, but they sure made this project come together quickly.

Here's a photo sharing the Itty Bitty stamps I used: Planner Gal: Seasonal Hello, Pumpkin Spice Please, Bountiful Fall {retired}, Pumpkin Greetings {retired}, and three of the sentiments are from the August 2025 KOM Season of Soft & Spooky. 

Copic markers used: 

Orange: YR20, YR15, YR27

Yellow: Y11, Y15, Y21, Y38

Brown: E000, E00, E11, E23, E43, E44, E57

Green: YG11, YG63, G94

Red: R20, R14, R35.

Next up is a cute tag that could also be a bookmark. I was inspired by my favorite bookmark that I made eons ago. I thought I'd case it and maybe send it to a friend. I just realized I didn't write down the Copics I used for this one. Sorry about that.

I used a fun mix of stamps for this one: July 2021 KOM Special Spot in My Heart, Books a' Flutter {retired}, and Better With Friends. 

Inks used: Peacock Feathers and Vintage Photo Distress Inks, Black Amalgam Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black marker.

Here's a quick photo of my original bookmark and my cased bookmark. Original used the same book stamps, but the girl is from Part of the Story {retired}. Not sure about the other background stamps on that one. They might be Stampin' Up.

I wanted to share one more photo for this one. Once I had my background done on the bookmark I stamped the girl so that when I fussy cut off all the dots and hearts around her it would still be a part of her on the bookmark. I love those little details.

And my last project... a Mixed Media Mini File Folder. I had just received this awesome file folder die in an order and I was inspired to make something for the hop. It's the Floral Slots File Folder from Elizabeth Craft Designs. Once I got started with this project it took off so please bare with me. There's lots of photos and I recorded a quick video that I share at the end just sharing the finished project. The cover features a bunch of stamps but the big new pumpkin is the star. This pumpkin is in the September 2025 KOM Harvest to Holiday. It's also available separately here... Pumpkin Hearth. I ink smooshed the pumpkin with Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin and Abandoned Coral Distress inks. I blended some Vintage Photo Distress ink around the edges and colored the stem with Copics {E21, E25, E57}. In the background you'll find the big leaf from Beautiful Change, the stitch stamps from Time to be Happy Again, and a couple stamps from Love Who You Are.

The inside of the mini file folder. I inked smooshed the whole thing with Salvaged Patina, Peacock Feathers, Vintage Photo and Carved Pumpkin Distress Inks. The big tree is from the July 2021 KOM Special Spot in My Heart and the fun pumpkins are from Beautiful Change. The 'fall feels' sentiment on the tab is from the August 2025 KOM Season of Soft & Spooky. I masked it so that it would fit in the little spot.

Here's a look at the tag fronts. I ink smooshed the manila tags with Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, and Abandoned Coral Distress inks. I blended a bit of Vintage Photo Distress ink to soften the white and then I distressed the edges with some too. I used the Tree of Gratitude stamps for these. All four of them are heat embossed with Penny EP from Brutus Monroe. The spatters are Ground Espresso Distress ink that I diluted with a tiny bit of water.

The other side of the tags. I distressed the edges on this side too but didn't do the spatter. I used a leaf from the Tree of Gratitude, another leaf from the August 2025 KOM Season of Soft & Spooky, and then trees also from that KOM. The three sentiments on the left are also from the KOM. And then the last one on the right is from Beautiful Change.

I just had to keep on going but I kept the back simple with just a few trees and a sentiment from the August 2025 KOM Season of Soft & Spooky. They are also available separately here... Long Rooted Truths. I tried to keep my chatter to a minimum. If you have a question about anything I made, please ask away in the comments. 

I recorded a quick video just sharing the finished project. You can check that out here if the video above doesn't work... Mixed Media Mini File Folder | Unity Stamp Co.

Now before we get to the hopping, I chose a lucky winner from the comments on last month's hop to win a fun prize and the lucky winner is...

... Dee in N.H.!! Congratulations, Dee!!

Send me an email at crystalominkler@gmail.com to claim your prize. 

Please claim the prize before October 1st, 2025. 

Well, that's it for me this time! We have a full hop this month with lots of inspiration so I hope you'll grab a cup of coffee or tea or water... what have you, and keep on hopping! I will be doing another fun giveaway this month!! Be sure to hop along and comment for a chance to win. {When you comment please leave your name just in case it posts as anonymous.} I'll announce the winner next month! 

Let's get to the hopping...

Crystal <--- you're here

up next ---> Doreen

 Jenni

Amber

Toni

Joyce

Kari

Rachel

Dawn

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

Membership Wednesday ~ September 2024 UU Some Moments are Gold ~ Unity Stamp Co.

  Hello there crafty friend!

Today I'm sharing a quick Fall card featuring the lovely stamp from the September 2024 Uniquely Unity membership from Unity called Some Moments are Gold. A little heat embossing with repeat stamping plus some splatters... gotta love a quick card!

I started by prepping my Kraft card stock from Papertrey Ink using the TE Anti-Static Powder Tool from Taylored Expressions. I stamped the sentiment first with Wow Clear Embossing Ink. I applied some Golden Gourd Embossing Powder from Brutus Monroe over top the wet ink and then melted the powder with a Wagner Precision Heat Tool. I then stamped the pretty leaf multiple times over the background. I turned it this way and that... it almost feels like the leaves are falling.

I dusted the panel with the embossing powder and then melted all the powder with the heat tool. I love this embossing powder over the kraft. It gives it a nice yellow/orange gold color. I masked the sentiment with a piece of post it note. I added some spatters to the background using Bronze and Dark Roast Silk from Fun Stampers Journey. I heat set the spatters with the heat tool and then I die cut the panel using the largest scallop die from the BIG Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. 

The panel is adhered to a 4-1/8 x 5-3/8" piece of Early Espresso card stock from Stampin' Up. And then the whole panel is adhered to a Kraft A2 top fold card base. I don't know about you but I am so ready for Fall and this sentiment is me wishing it gets here soon!

 

Here's a quick look at this month's Uniquely Unity membership! SO beautiful!

That's it for me today! I hope you've been inspired to play with your membership stamps! 

Hope you have an INKtastic day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Inky Paws Challenge #232 ~ Cozy Fall Theme Challenge Reminder

Hello there crafty friend!

There's still time to play along with the Inky Paws Challenge #232 - Cozy Fall Theme Challenge! You have until this coming Friday, September 27th to get your entries in for this fun challenge and a chance to win a $20 store credit to Newton's Nook Designs!

Inky Paws Challenge #232 - Cozy Fall Theme Challenge

Such a fun theme!! I got so excited because our weather was cooling off and now we have a 90 degree day with the heat index putting us in the 100s. Ugh. I can't wait for Fall!

I started with my background using the Falling Leaves Stencil. I blended Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, and Vintage Photo Distress Inks over the stencil onto Kraft card stock. I also splattered a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the background. I die cut the background using the largest die from the Framework Die Set. Adhered it to a 4-1/8 x 5-3/8" piece of Dark Chocolate card stock from Papertrey Ink. I also die cut a scalloped frame using a die from that same set. I adhered the leaf panel to a Kraft A2 top fold card base measuring 4-1/4 x 11"; scored at 5-1/2".

I stamped the cute book reading kitty from Newton's Reading List Stamp Set using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. And then I had fun coloring it up with Copic markers. Once I was happy with my coloring I die cut the kitty using the coordinating Newton's Reading List Die Set. I also stamped one of the cute mugs from the Cup of Cocoa Stamp Set, colored it up and then die cut it using the coordinating Cup of Cocoa Die Set that just arrived with my order! Yay for new crafty goodies! I used a sentiment from the Cup of Cocoa Stamp Set for the book cover. I love how it ties the images together!

I adhered the mug to the kitty and books. And then I adhered the ensemble to the frame. I added a whole bunch of foam tape to the back of the kitty ensemble and frame and then popped it up on the card. All that was left was a fall sentiment. So I went looking through the awesome new Autumn Reads Stamp Set and found the perfect sentiment. I heat embossed the sentiment on the same Dark Chocolate card stock that I had die cut using a die from the Framework Die Set. I prepped the card stock with the TE Anti-Static Powder Tool from Taylored Expressions. I stamped the sentiments using Sugar Cube White Pigment ink, also from Taylored Expressions. I then dusted the ink with Alabaster White Embossing Powder from Brutus Monroe and melted the powder with a Wagner Precision Heat Tool. Once it was cooled, I wiped off the remaining anti static powder using a microfiber cloth. I added foam to the back of the sentiment around the frame and then popped it up on the card.

Now it's your turn to get your paws inky with your Newton's Nook Designs products and create a project with a Summer theme. Be sure to link up to the Inky Paws Challenge! Can't wait to see your projects!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Inky Paws Challenge #232 ~ Cozy Fall Theme Challenge

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for a new Inky Paws Challenge... a super fun Cozy Fall Theme Challenge! I sure hope that you'll play along with us using your Newton's Nook Designs products! You have until Friday, September 27th to get your entries in for the #232 Cozy Fall Theme Challenge and a chance to win a $20 store credit to Newton's Nook Designs!

Inky Paws Challenge #232 - Cozy Fall Theme Challenge

Awww... there's just something about Fall! I love the colors and the cozy vibes! 

I'm so excited to see the entries for this challenge!

It's pretty obvious that the Harvest Haul Stamp Set is one of my absolute favorite stamps! I keep coming back to it. I thought it was perfect to pair up with the beautiful Autumn 6x6 Paper Pad. Another favorite of mine. 

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Apples: YG21, YG11, YG03, G14 Pumpkins: YR21, YR15, YR68, E51, E55, E57 Basket: E51, E55, E57 Truck: E51, E55, E57, B000, B00, B91 Brake Lights: R20, R14, R46 Tires: N2, N4, N6 Window / Mirror: C00, C3 Corn Stalks: Y11, Y15, Y38 Blanket: C00, C3, Y11, Y15, B000, B91

I used a whole bunch of dies for this card. The truck was stamped on a circle die cut from the Circle Frames Die Set. The pattern papers were die cut using dies from the Basic Frames Die Set. And the sentiment and base layer were die cut using dies from the Frames & Flags Die Set.

The sentiment is from the Cozy Home Stamp Set. I really love this sentiment. I've used it a few times. The sentiment is adhered directly to the card layers. The circle truck is popped up using a bunch of foam tape. I finished off the card with a few enamel dots from my stash.

You can check out my process video here... Cozy Fall Card | Inky Paws Challenge 232 | Newton's Nook Designs.

Now it's your turn to get your paws inky with your Newton's Nook Designs products and create a project with a Cozy Fall theme. Be sure to link up to the Inky Paws Challenge! Can't wait to see your projects!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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~ Friends of Unity September 2024 Blog Hop ~

Hello there crafty friend!

It's time for our Friends of Unity Blog Hop!! This month's cue is another one that we do just about every year, I think. It's a super fun cue because it includes all of you! I'm so excited to see the inspiration for this month's hop AND to see all the awesome cards you all are inspired to make, too!

This month's cue is a fun Color Challenge using the colors above. As always, the cue is meant to inspire, not require. In fact there's really no requirements except the use of some of these colors. You'll see some of the inspiration from our friends may have added splashes of green where the design calls for it. And neutrals are definitely fair game! 

First up is a pretty Fall card using a new stamp that's really geared towards Christmas cards but I wanted to see what I could do for a Fall card. It's the A Wintry Hello stamps. I love this new stamp! And I really like how this card turned out. The sentiment is from Planner Gal: Seasonal Hello and I heat embossed it.

I paired up the beautiful deer with the gorgeous Golden Autumn Whispers {paper pack}. These papers are so rich and amazing! I love them! I think they make a great background for this majestic deer! I die cut the pattern papers using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}. I also die cut a long scrap of Early Espresso card stock {SU} to ground the deer and the scene. 

I wanted to add some color to the trees since it's a Fall card and not Winter so I just added some dots of color using a few Copic markers. I toned down the white around the trees and in the deer's antlers by distressing the edges with a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Deer: E51, E55, E57

Tree Dots: Y15, YR15, R39, E55

Ground: E55, E57, N2, N4

Next up is a cute gnome card. It's been a long time since I've Copic colored on kraft and I wanted to see how this gnome would look. He's from the Sunshine & Laughter Gnome stamps. Such a cute gnome! He definitely looks shaded under that umbrella mushroom! I also used some Prismacolor white pencil for the mushroom.

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Gnome Nose: E000, E00, E11, E04

Beard: C00, C3

Shoes: N2, N4, N6

Hat: Y11, Y15, YR15

Mushroom: R20, R14, R46, E51, E55, E57

Ground: E51, E55

I paired up this cutie with the beautiful Enrich the Soul {paper pack}. I die cut the pattern papers and the Kraft card stock using the largest die from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set. The scrap of Kraft card stock is also die cut using a die from the Stitched Hillside Borders die from Lawn Fawn.

The sentiment is heat embossed and die cut using a die from the Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies. All the layers are adhered to a Kraft A2 top fold card base, except for the gnome. I popped him up using foam tape. And then I finished off this card with a few black enamel dots from my stash.

My third and last card is a fun Fall card with a super cute and brand new stamp that just released today! It's called Winnie the Pooh: A Brighter Day. Isn't it just the sweetest stamp?! I adore Pooh bear and this stamp! It's also available in clear photopolymer... {Clearly Unity} Winnie the Pooh: A Brighter Day.

Here's a quick list of the Copic markers I used:

Pooh Bear: Y11, Y15

Sunflower: Y11, Y15, Y38, YR15, E51, E55, E57

Stem / Leaves: YG11, YG03, YG95

I paired Pooh bear up with the gorgeous Thankful and Blessed Pumpkins {paper pack}. I love the gorgeous pumpkins in this paper! I think it works really nicely with the sunflower. What do you think? I die cut the pattern paper using the largest die from the Scallops & Rectangles {nesting dies}.

Pooh bear was fussy cut leaving a white border around the image and then I distressed around the edges with some Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I popped up Pooh bear with a bunch of foam tape onto a couple circles I die cut from Early Espresso and Vellum card stock using dies from the Scallops & Circles {nesting dies}. And then I just trimmed the edges off on the left side and adhered all my layers.

Now before we get to the hopping, I chose a lucky winner from the comments on last month's hop to win a fun prize and the lucky winner is...

... Angy Hughes!! Congratulations, Angy!!

Please email me at crystalominkler@gmail.com to claim your prize. 

Please claim the prize before October 2nd, 2024. 

Well, that's it for me this time! Please hop along and enjoy some more inspiration from the Friends of Unity! I can't wait to see how our friends were inspired by this month's cue. I will be doing another fun giveaway this month!! Be sure to hop along and comment for a chance to win. {When you comment please leave your name just in case it posts as anonymous.} I'll announce the winner next month! AND don't forget about the Color Challenge! Create a new card or project using the colors from the cue and enter it into the album in the Unity Show & Tell Facebook group. We'd love to have you play along with us!

Let's get to the hopping...

Crystal <--- you're here

up next ---> Kari

Tammy

Joyce

Jane

Jenni

Dawn

Rachel

Thanks so very much for supporting our little hop!

We appreciate you so much!!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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Inky Paws Challenge #231 ~ Sketch Challenge

 Hello there crafty friend!

Who's up for a new challenge?! It's time to get our paws inky with a fun sketch challenge! I am always up for good sketch and this one is so fun! You have until Friday, September 13th to get your entries in for the #231 Sketch Challenge and a chance to win a $20 store credit to Newton's Nook Designs!

Inky Paws Challenge #231 - Sketch Challenge

Another super fun sketch! I can't wait to see what you create with it!

I couldn't help but make three cards for this sketch! First of all, it gave me an excuse to ink up both of the girls in the Pumpkin Latte Stamp Set. And secondly, I cut up three sheets of pattern paper for the sketch anyways... so why not make them all into cards! 

Here's the measurements I used for the sketch. The card stock was trimmed down to 4 x 5-1/4". I found it easiest to measure and cut the bottom portion first so I measured up from the bottom left 1/2" and 3-5/8" on the right side. I then drew a light line with pencil across the pattern paper. And I cut each of the three pattern papers. And then to cut that top pattern paper I measured from the left top corner of the pattern papers to 11/16". From the bottom corner I measured up that angled edge to 2-5/8". I drew another light line with pencil across the pattern paper and then I cut all three pieces of pattern paper. I then trimmed three light weight pieces of white pattern paper. I think mine is 60lb. I trimmed them down to 3-7/8 x 5-1/8". And then I adhered the pattern papers to these three white card fronts. Just like puzzle pieces... they fit together just perfectly and gave me three fun and Fall-filled backgrounds.

All of the pretty Fall backgrounds I created using the beautiful Autumn 6x6 Paper Pad. I adhered each of them to an A2 top fold card base of Kraft card stock from Papertrey Ink. I stamped the beautiful girls from the Pumpkin Latte Stamp Set on Stampers Select White card stock from Papertrey Ink using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored each of them using a bunch of Copic markers. And then I die cut them using the coordinating Pumpkin Latte Die Set. I wanted a bit of a layer between the girls and the Fall background but I didn't want to cover up the pretty papers so I die cut three circles of vellum card stock using a die from the Circle Frames Die Set. 

Here's a list of the Copic Markers I used:

Skin: E000, E00, E11

Hair: Y02, Y21, Y26, E23

Boots: E51, E55, E57

Yellow Jacket: Y21, Y26, E55

Blue  Dress: BG10, BG70, BG72, Y21, Y26

Blue Jacket {Pumpkin Girl above}: BG10, BG70, BG72

Redwood Dress: E51, E13, E19, Y21, Y26

Blue Jacket {last card}: BG10, BG70, BG72, Y21, Y26

Scarf: BG70, BG72, BG10, E13, E19

Pumpkins: YR21, YR15, YR68, YR27, E51, E55, E57

Cups: C00, C3, E55, E57, Y21, Y26

These were such fun cards to make. I can't wait to see the awesome entries using this fun sketch!

I then heat embossed the sentiments on Kraft card stock using my favorite combo of products. I prepped the card stock with the TE Anti-Static Powder Tool. I stamped the sentiments using Sugar Cube White Pigment ink from Taylored Expressions. I then dusted the ink with Alabaster White Embossing Powder and melted the powder with a Wagner Precision Heat Tool. Once it was cooled, I wiped off the remaining anti static powder using a microfiber cloth. 

I trimmed all of the sentiments and cut a fishtail on the left side. And then I adhered all of my layers directly to the card. The girls were adhered to the vellum circles and then I glued the circles to the card by applying glue just to the back of the girls.

Now it's your turn to get your paws inky with your Newton's Nook Designs products and create a project using this awesome sketch. Be sure to link up to the Inky Paws Challenge! Can't wait to see your projects!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See ya next time.

Inky Hugs,

Crystal

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